Shoes of Change

On my way in to work most mornings, I tune into NPR and the BBC World Report.  I don't get the newspaper or TV so my news consumption comes from online sources that I access via apps my Twitter feed or that I search out.  NPR and BBC keep me informed with views from outside the US and about world news that may not get the same focus here in the US.

Much of the news today was about the death of Ethiopian Prim Minister Meles Zenawi. He was a controversial figure but a pivotal one in Africa and for the world.  His death will be a big change to the region.

But why am I writing about this topic here?

As a child growing up in the 80s, Ethiopia was a recipient of much of the aid programs such as Band Aid and Live Aid.  We saw the pictures and sent in money.  These programs helped to remind us that there is a world outside our borders. We talked about the issues.

What's weird to me is that every day I hear the news but never get the chance to talk about it.  Sure people I know talk politics (usually on heated partisan lines) and other rights issues, when the topic is hot, but other than that.... not much.  There isn't a lot of discussion about influential books or world news or scientific breakthroughs.   Maybe I need to start a salon, a la the ladies of the Enlightenment.

But behind these big stories are the individual people who live in the countries.  I love the inspirational work showcased each year at the Arise Collection during NYFW. I wanted to see if I could find any footwear designers from Ethiopia.

My favorites were the pieces from soleRebel.  They're fair trade and artisan crafted, creating jobs and cute shoes for men and women. Founded 8 years ago, they're helping locally and reaching out globally.

But in thinking about Ethiopia, I began thinking about Eritrea.  I met a lovely lady from there many years ago.  At the time I didn't know much about the country or how it had fought for independence from Ethiopia. I've tried to learn more and the news today brought the country back to the forefront of my mind.

One thing I did not know is that Barka sandal, or "shida" is a national symbol for the country.  The sandals were worn by the fighters wore, almost as a de facto uniform, during their bid for independence.

Lightweight and repairable, these shoes are such a part of the national identity, they are even symbolized in monument in Shida Square.

Shoes as a symbol of change.

In each country they are supporting the people differently but they each are representative of the hopes and lives and dreams for a better future.

Urban Outfitters - We say "Fifty Percent*"

I am not a fan of Urban Outfitters.

In the beginning I merely felt apathetic about them. I didn't really shop there but I didn't actively avoid them either. But now it is becoming an outright dislike, if not hatred, and not just because they are pushing their giant chain into one of my favorite unique towns.

As home of the ironic hipster, pseudo-designers and blatent knock-offs, Urban Outfitters does more harm than good. But I think their true slimy underbelly, typically hidden under a facade of "cool", sometimes slips out. They show their blatent misogyny, racism and bigotry.

It started when they pulled an "I support Same-Sex Marriage" shirt off the shelves after a week. But here are more recent examples:

First is a simple henley, but with the color options as "white/charcoal" and "Obama/Black"



Then there is the call to "preserve your daughters' sacred virginity", which is currently still for sale on the site. (I'm not giving them the benefit of a link out)



Now they have a shirt that mandates "Eat Less". Their description reads: "Eat less or more or however much you'd like in this seriously soft knit tee cut long and topped with a v-neck." but not sure that is the real message.




Of course, there are those that will say that these shirts are meant to be funny or, yes, ironic, but are they really? When coupled with the hurtful and hateful politicians supported by the owner, I'm not quite sure.

I know that many many people love this store. But you also have to know that when you buy that shirt or scarf or pants, you are directly supporting and promoting more than just what you are wearing. There are so many individual designers and better options where you can spend your money... and promote a more inclusive way of life.

*"Fifty Percent" is a belief that we subscribe to around here. It is the belief that, even when you are joking, you mean about 50% of what you are actually saying.

Decades of Decadence

Today was one of those rare days where you feel like you have all the time in the world and not much to do. I did most of my errands on Friday and Saturday, so today I was just reading and watching some TV with the pets.

I'm finishing up Antonia Fraser's auto-biography of Marie Antoinette. It's a great book with tons of information. Fraser is a writer who can give you the facts but keep you engaged through the human elements.



Then tonight we were watching the latest episode in the HBO John Adams miniseries, which is also great. In this episode, Adams is in France looking for aid against the British. Adams takes his job there seriously, of course, but he encounters the decadent French Court.

You could tell that this society had reached the peak of excess with their manners and clothes and vicious wit and I was struck by how like the 1980's it felt.

This may have been top of mind because of I was watching some classic VH1 videos today, but I thought back to Bud Fox's (Charlie Sheen) paper money apartment in Wall Street after Daryl Hannah got her "interior design" hands on it. With the tubs of gelato, pasta maker and sushi maker it was the dream life. And the fashions were just as excessive as the lifestyle.

I'm not taking Cyndi Lauper or Madonna, who were dressing more for performance than for real life, I'm thinking about squeaky-clean "every girl" Debbie Gibson. In her video you can see the over-the-top fashions - from the bicycle pants to tulle skirts, from big hair and jewelry to the polka dot gloves.





Now I'm not saying that I wouldn't love one of those tulle skirts right about now. But what concerns me is how you could see in hindsight, the craziness at the "peak" and the ultimate correction that takes place in the society. in the 1700's it was a bloody revolution against the nobles and wasteful rich. It only took about 20 years for this to come about.

We are in a similar time period, being 20 years after the 80's peak. And there is an ever growing division between the rich and the poor. Celebrities and celebutants are acting as immature and wasteful and decadent. There are foreign wars and a discontent with our leaders. It will be curious how the next few years unfold. Fashion is a great predictor and reflection of the times. I wonder what it will be saying?

Shut Your Trap already!

I never was a big Vogue reader until shortly before I started writing here. Then I subscribed. I was always more of a "practical" mag reader, like Better Homes and Gardens, Domino, Blueprint, Martha Stewart, with some shopping mags (Lucky, InStyle) and some Sauver, Travel and Leisure and National Geographic thrown in.

And while I can appreciate where they're going with things, much in the same way I view a Couture show, more and more I find them vulgar, out of touch and repugnant. And now I feel they are ignorant as well.

I know this is an "aspirational" magazine for most and the way things are written and what are featured are selected as such but when I read the articles I am, at best, amused and, at worst, sickened.

Recently there was the feature story on Kate Hudson. In the article the sycophantic suck-up writing the piece made a point of praising her "tiny" jeans and gas-guzzling Escalade driving. This just seems so ridiculous given today's issues of anorexia and the conservation green movement.

But I find Anna Wintour and André Leon Talley the worst. Their manners and writing expose them as the most vain, self-centered and self-important people I've ever seen. While I'm sure they hold sway in the fashion publishing arena, outside of that they should really keep their traps shut.

Talley I merely find to be a one dimensional caricature with his know-it-all pomposity but Wintour has truly outed her ignorance in February's Editor's letter. In it she chides Hillary Clinton for refusing to "appear" in the mag (and probably to styled in some ridiculous designer fashions) and that she is pushing back feminism because the country is ready for a woman Senator/President who dresses femininely and Hillary shouldn't dress as conservatively (a.k.a. masculine) as she does.



Is she kidding me?

The US, on many levels, is anything but progressive and open minded. Has she even been to a "middle" state? I'm sure there are fashion-forward, progressive folks there but many are not.

And politicians certainly are not or feel they can not be. Sadly we're barely ready for some of these candidates much less a campaigning woman in flow-y pants. Maybe if Hillary is elected she will "loosen up". And I'm sure Anna Wintour and the fashion mags and industry are dieing to get their mitts on her and turn her into a billboard and vehicle to sell more stuff. But they have to remember, these are politicians not starlets. They have jobs and degrees and represent bible-quoting constituents.

This is D.C. not LA.

Anna, you may have your little fiefdom, but Hillary Clinton owes you nothing and probably cares even less about your opinion on how she should dress. And this is politics, as in the real meaning of the word, not office politics about who was caught wearing last season's whatever. So leave the assessment of what you think this country is ready for to the experts. Because, clearly you are out of your depth.

Go back to your sandbox.

Photo source: NY Magazine & Getty Images